Neighbors say accused gunman enjoys feeding feral pigs

Silva, 81, allegedly shot and killed pig hunter's dog

A man who police say shot and killed a pig hunter's dog in a ravine below his Pearl City home over the weekend made an initial appearance Monday in Honolulu District Court.

Anthony Silva, 81, is charged with terroristic threatening, reckless endangering and cruelty to animals. The incident Saturday morning began when Silva confronted a group of three hunters in a wooded area below his home on Aluka Loop.

A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told KITV4 Silva became upset when a hunting dog belonging to one of the hunters began attacking a sow that Silva had taken a liking to. The neighbor said Silva regularly feeds rural pigs that live below his property.

According to a court affidavit, Silva approached the three hunters at about 8 a.m. while holding a .22 caliber rifle, and shot the dog through its right shoulder. When the wounded animal ran away, Silva allegedly fired again, this time missing the canine. The affidavit says Silva then pointed the rifle at all three men in a scanning motion before threatening to shoot them.

Silva was arrested by police after first threatening to barricade himself inside his home, which features a chain-link fence covered by dark trash bags in an apparent attempt to block the view.

Miles Fukushima, vice president of the Oahu Pig Hunters Association, fears more confrontations between hunters and homeowners are likely as hunting areas on the island grow scarcer.

"So, people just start hunting behind somebody's house and stuff like that," said Fukushima. "That's why all these things (are) happening."

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources says it's illegal to feed feral pigs on state-controlled land, but homeowners can do as they please on their own property.

Court records show Silva has eight prior arrests, including convictions for assault, property damage and resisting arrest. His earliest conviction occurred in January 1951, when Silva received a $10 fine for misdemeanor assault.

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